Car designs are expensive to develop. From the price of the creative talent to the adjustments made in the factories to build new parts, each new idea becomes an investment for automakers. One look at the numbers makes it easy to forgive car brands for playing it safe.
However, every now and then, a manufacturer will launch a new car that takes the public completely by surprise. Depending on the design and the times, the risk can be rewarded or fall flat.
At first, the Mini Moke was an example of the former. Despite attracting interest from film directors and beachcombers, it failed to achieve the same kind of success as its sibling, the Austin Mini. But like many other weird-looking cars, it reached classic car
status over time. Jerry dug deep to understand the success of the Moke, as well as what sets it apart from other weird-looking cars that never reached the same heights. The late success of weird-looking cars like the Moke
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Sometimes, it takes a little time for a car to catch on with people. The Moke’s recent resurgence as an electric recreational vehicle might be a good example of this, but it’s not the only one.
Reception of the Volkswagen Thing was also a bit timid when it came to the U.S. in 1972, forcing Volkswagen to drop it from its North American lineup only three years later.
But today, its eccentricities make it a desirable classic model that car enthusiasts can easily keep running thanks to its shared parts with the VW Beetle.
Similarly, opinions about the AMC Gremlin have waxed and waned over the years. Sales were good in its first few years thanks to its fuel economy and affordability during the oil crisis of the ‘70s. It was the butt of jokes for decades after that, but it’s considered a classic today.
Weird-looking cars that never caught on
Not every automotive oddity shares the rags-to-riches story shared by the Moke, the Thing, and the Gremlin. Throughout the history of the industry, brands have developed ideas that drivers just couldn’t get behind.
Take the Peel P50, for example. Launched in 1962, it was the smallest production model in car history. But with a maximum speed of 37 mph and no reverse gear, it proved too inconvenient for the British public. Less than 50 were sold, and it was canceled in 1965.
The Amphicar had a similarly short history. First sold in the U.S. in 1961, production of the amphibious vehicle also got canned in 1965. Less than 4,000 were built, and the company didn’t sell out of them until 1968. Updated safety regulations prevented it from any kind of resurgence.
The cost of owning classic weird-looking cars
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You might the strangeness of these cars, making a comeback through the classic car market, might make them rarer and more expensive now. However, these three models are actually quite affordable.
On top of that, their eligibility for classic car coverage
can bring the cost of owning them down even further—especially if you find a policy with the Jerry
app. Once you download Jerry, just take 45 seconds to answer a handful of questions about you and your car, and you’ll immediately get customized car insurance quotes from top providers, so that all you need to do is pick the plan that works best for you. And you might end up saving more than you expect on your coverage, too—Jerry customers save an average of $887 a year on car insurance payments.
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